Replacement Pocket for Lacrosse Head

ABSTRACT

A replacement pocket for the head of a lacrosse stick is configured to be secured to an existing frame for the head. The replacement lacrosse pocket is formed from a plurality of elongated runners that are oriented substantially parallel to one another. Each runner has a loop eye formed at its upper end. A length of cording follows a path that traverses the plurality of runners and weaves over and around the runners to form an open web. The cord forms loops along left and right edges of the web that can be secured onto sides of the frame. Packaging for the replacement pocket may be lightly adhered to it, to keep it in place until it is laced into the lacrosse frame.

Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of co-pending Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/079,814, Nov. 14, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports equipment, and is more particularly directed to a replacement pocket for the head of a lacrosse stick or cross, and to a method for replacing a worn or deficient pocket with a new one that is essentially the same as the traditional or original pocket, but which can be installed by the player in a short period of time.

The basic concept is to create a removable leather pocket for a lacrosse stick, and to employ that pocket as a replacement pocket. Current replacement pockets formed of a mesh have not given satisfactory performance.

The replacement pocket has traditional leather runners, similar to the traditional pocket. For the traditional pocket, as prepared in a factory or by a professional lacrosse repair shop, there are four runners that extend generally parallel to one another from the upper tip of the frame to the throat of the frame. One end of each is intended to be looped through anchor slots or openings at the top of the frame for the head and back through the leather to form a loop. Then a cord or string is woven back and forth through and around the leather runners and through slots or openings in the side of the frame, and these are knotted to anchor the webbing to the frame. Once the leather runners and the string are strung in place and then the leather runners anchored into the bottom or throat end, and the string or cord is anchored to the sides of the frame, the pocket becomes an irremovable process of webbing, knots and looped knots. Creating and installing these pockets is difficult and time consuming.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an important object to provide a replacement pocket that provides satisfactory performance both in game and in practice conditions, which can be installed easily in the field or in a shop, and which overcomes the major drawbacks of the prior art.

It is a more specific object to provide a prepared replacement pocket in which the cording used to create it has loops at its edges that can be easily laced into the holes or openings at the rim of a lacrosse head.

According to an embodiment of this invention, a replacement pocket for a head of a lacrosse stick is configured to be secured to an existing frame for the head. The replacement pocket is formed from a plurality of elongated runners oriented substantially parallel to one another and each with a loop eye formed at an upper end thereof. A cord or a length of cording follows a path that traverses the plurality of runners and that weaves over and around the runners to form an open web. The cord forms loops along left and right edges of the web that can be secured onto sides of the frame.

A further embodiment of this invention comprises a lacrosse stick which has a head formed of a frame and a web pocket secured to the frame, with the frame having a top in which slots are provided for securing runners and sides in which openings are provided for securing an open web portion of the pocket. The web pocket includes a plurality of elongated runners oriented substantially parallel to one another and each having a loop eye formed at an upper end thereof. A length or cording, i.e., a cord follows a path that traverses the plurality of runners and that weaves over and around the runners to form an open web, and which forms loops along left and right edges of the web, such that the loops can be secured onto sides of the frame. A top string passes through the slots in said top of the frame and through the loop eyes of the runners to anchor the runners to respective ones of the slots. At least one side string passes through the openings in the sides of the frame and through the loops formed in the web to anchor the web to the sides of the frame.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the replacement pocket of my invention can be more fully understood from the ensuing detailed description of an embodiment thereof, to be considered in connection with the accompanying Drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement of the replacement pocket of an embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the replacement pocket next to a typical frame of a lacrosse stick head.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the anchoring of the loop end of one of the leather runners at the top side of the frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates the anchoring of the webbing or stringing at one side of the frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lacrosse stick with the replacement pocket installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To create a functioning leather pocket that can be removed and replaced easily by even a novice, the new process was required for setting up a removable pocket and anchor that could buffer the leathers from the hard frame of the head. This removable and easily installable replacement pocket which I have now discovered and created, is described as follows:

Using an anchor-creating pattern, a length of nylon string or cord is secured through the anchor holes in the head framer that also simulate the shape and dimension of an “anchor port”. Once this replaceable buffer anchor is in place, the leather runners have a port to loop securely around, and the leathers runners and string or cord of the pocket can be webbed in a traditional or “custom” manner to create the pocket. Once in place, the dummy anchors can be removed along the top and the side walls. The result is a floating traditional leather pocket that is retains its basic shape, allowing it to be reconnected via two side strings and the nylon string anchor pattern to any other head where the leathers and string would be “broken in” with use, eventually adopting the shape and feel of the surrogate head.

To create a tight structure to the floating piece of equipment is the use of a Square Knot to secure the webbing firmly to the structure, using the loop of the leather as an anchor point which also serves as a means to maintain the pre-looped structure of the leather. The introduction of a counter-part loop “anchor point” connects anchor string and the leather runners to create one solid piece with the square knot and leather loop point at the top left of the anchoring area at the top of the structure. Loops or eyes are formed at the side edges of the webbing which are then anchored, via the side cord or string to the anchor slots or openings in the sides of the frame. Then the leather runners are secured at the lower or throat end of the frame using a series of knots or braiding, as desired.

After manufacture, the integrity of the structure of the replacement pocket is maintained with packaging in which it is shipped and sold. The replacement pocket can be worked and reformed as needed and broken in to achieve optimal performance.

The exact shape and style of the replacement pocket can vary, for example being much wider for the goaltender's lacrosse stick than for those of the other positions on the team.

With reference to the Figures of Drawing, FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement for the replacement pocket 10 which can be attached rather easily to the frame of a lacrosse stick. As shown here there are four long leather runners 12, each ending at a loop or eye 14 at its upper end, and extending down sufficiently to pass through the lower or throat end of the frame. A tough synthetic cord or string 16 is woven through and around the leather runners, including passing through the eyes 14. This forms an open webbing of the runners 12 and string 16. At the edges of the webbing the cord or string is twisted to form a loop or eye 18, which is used for attaching to the sides of the frame. There can be a number of styles of wrapping or weaving to form the webbing, depending on the preferences of the designer and of the player.

FIG. 2 shows the replacement pocket 10 next to a typical frame 20 for the head of a lacrosse stick or cross, here with the throat or lower end of the frame to the right.

The replacement pocket 10 is attached to the frame 20 in a manner as illustrated beginning in FIGS. 3 and 4. The frame 20 has a number of slots 22 along the top end for attaching the runners 12, which is where the eyes or loops 14 of the runners are to be anchored. To this end an upper string or cord 24 runs across the top of the frame, passing through the eyes 14 and around and through the associated slot 22 to anchor the eye end of the runner 12 to the frame 20. The cord loops through twice for each runner, so that there are two passes on each side of the frame at each anchor point.

As show in FIG. 5, there are anchor holes or openings 26 along the sides of the frame, and a side cord or string 28 loops through each of these openings and also through the associated loops or eyes 18 on the webbing to secure the sides of the pocket 10 to the sides of the frame at anchor points at each of the openings 26. One side edge is shown in FIG. 5 but the construction and attaching process would be the same on both sides.

FIG. 6 shows the lacrosse stick head with the replacement pocket 10 secured by the upper string 24 and side string(s) 28 at the anchor points as discussed above. The lower ends of the runners 12 pass through respective slots or openings (not shown) at the lower end of the frame, and can be tied off individually or braided together.

In this embodiment, the webbing is formed of a single string 16 which weaves in a criss-cross pattern across and around the leather runners 12. The one end of the string 16 is tied off to the other end near the lower end of the pocket. Other possible embodiments could employ more than one length of string. The invention also covers alternate patterns for a removable top string, and for the use of buttons or similar fasteners for securing the runners 12.

After the replacement pocket has been formed at manufacture, it is preferably packaged flat to retain the integrity of the pocket until installed. The packaging can be possibly adhered to the product until the pocket is securely in place on the frame.

This single preferred embodiment is meant to serve as an example only, and many variations are possible without departing from the main principles of this invention. 

I Claim:
 1. A replacement pocket for a head of a lacrosse stick and configured to be secured to an existing frame for the head, comprising a plurality of elongated runners oriented substantially parallel to one another and each with a loop eye formed at an upper end thereof; a cord following a path that traverses the plurality of runners and that weaves over and around the runners to form an open web, and forming loops along left and right edges of the web that can be secured onto sides of the frame.
 2. A lacrosse stick having a head, wherein said head comprises a frame and a web pocket secured to the frame, the frame having a top in which slots are provided for securing runners and sides in which openings are provided for securing an open web portion of the pocket; and the web pocket including a plurality of elongated runners oriented substantially parallel to one another and each with a loop eye formed at an upper end thereof; and a cord following a path that traverses the plurality of runners and that weaves over and around the runners to form an open web, and forming loop along left and right edges of the web that can be secured onto sides of the frame; and further comprising a top string passing through said slots in said top of the frame and the loop eyes of said runners to anchor the runners to respective ones of said slots, and at least one side string passing through the openings in the sides of the frame and through said loops formed in the web to anchor the web to the sides of the frame. 